Diana comes to us as a newbie, or should I say a Refresher since it's been many years since she crocheted and wants to learn again. She wants to make a blanket for her grandchild who is yet to be born. An early start is a good thing!
She jumped right in to make a Chevron blanket which uses all single crochets stitching. My only suggestion would be to start with a worsted weight yarn that is a smooth ply, not a novelty yarn like this chenille. It's ok to use chenille if you have some experience under your belt but it can make it a bit more challenging to use this kind of yarn as a first try.
In spite of that, Diana is doing a great job at reading her work and keeping count of the pattern stitches.
We worked to the tunes of Flamenco guitar today, although I'm not sure anyone noticed since they were concentrating so diligently on their work.
Janna was first to arrive with her FO's (finished objects). The shawl, comprised of a slipped stitch pattern, turned out great! She is planning on a light blocking in cool water to even out the tension and smooth her work. She also completed a Helix Hat which is made up of all left over wool from other projects.
I'm working on the cuff of the Cerce Hat that starts with a horizontal band and then the crown is knitted from the long edge up.
Tina, who comes to us from the crochet camp, is really catching on to the knitting skills she needs to make a hat. She is working on the 2023 Soldiers Hat, a free pattern on Ravelry, using the magic loop technique.
Yvonne must really love color! Her current projects are hats, two in progress and one finished. The self striping yarns make a great fabric, doing all the work for you!
Gail is using Malabrigo Rio yarn, a single ply soft wool, to make the A Cabling We Will Go, a fun and interesting hat pattern that's just loaded with beautiful cables. She learned a new technique for ribbing from Patty Lyons who says to knit two stitches, then for the first purl stitch, wrap the yarn around the needle in the opposite direction than you usually do. So wrap it counterclockwise as opposed to clockwise. Then purl the second stitch in the usual manner. It makes a very even tension and neat stitches.
I have to give Bob credit for sticking with his blanket for so long. I wouldn't have the same dedication that he has! Missy started a crocheted tank top following directions she took from several different patterns. She likes to play it by ear and make her own creations.
This is Keiko's first try at sock knitting. She started with making her own Christmas stocking with an afterthought heel. The sock starts at the toe and...
when the foot section is the desired length, a constrasting yarn is knitted where the heel will be made "AFTER" the leg of the sock is completed. She will then pick up those stitches from the yellow yarn and knit the heel to finish the stocking.
Janna started a hat called Frost Ridge Beanie. She has a pretty periwinkle blue yarn that will be striped with this tweed. The same designer who designed Gail's A Cabling We Will Go Hat also designed this hat.
Pat's baby blanket in peachy pastels is coming along nicely. She has until June to finish it for her future grandbaby. Crochet faster Pat! LOL!
Knitted Knockers is an organization that collects hand knitted or crocheted prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Debra F is using a soft cotton yarn to make one from the top down. The website provides patterns and gives a list of suggested yarns to use.
Rena has a hat on her needles and completed one of the fingerless mitts from the Mock Cable Hat and Mitts pattern. It is knitted flat and then the seam is sewn up the long edge, leaving a hole for the thumb.
Ceil is working on a lacy summer weight scarf for herself called Open Skies. As you can see, the lace is all scrunched up so it will require a gentle blocking to open up the stitches to show it at its best.
Maggie returned a bionic woman after just a two week recovery from hip replacement surgery. She's doing great and is back to knitting.
She is almost finished with a colorful mitten which she knitted on double pointed needles.
Fozzie is singing the song of his people to let me know it's time to feed him.
He's quite the chatterbox!
So on that note I will remind you to have a great week and keep those needles clicking!